Character Relationship Map: Sabotage

Characters

• Mrs. Verloc (played by Sylvia Sidney) — protagonist

  Wife of Karl and Stevie. Initially unaware of the terrorist plot, she falls for undercover detective Ted. After Stevie accidentally delivers a bomb that kills him, she discovers Karl's guilt, kills hi...

• Karl Verloc - Her Husband (played by Oskar Homolka) — protagonist

  Cinema owner secretly coordinating attacks for a European terrorist gang. Tasked with planting a bomb at Piccadilly Circus, he delegates the delivery to his brother-in-law Stevie. After the explosion...

• Stevie - Her Young Brother (played by Desmond Tester) — supporting

  Mrs. Verloc's younger brother living with the couple. Innocent and naive, he is tricked by Karl into delivering a disguised time bomb to Piccadilly Circus station. Delayed by a parade, he boards a bus...

• The Professor's Daughter (uncredited) (played by Martita Hunt) — minor
• Superintendent Talbot (played by Matthew Boulton) — supporting
• The Professor (played by William Dewhurst) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• The Professor's Daughter (uncredited) → The Professor (daughter)
• Superintendent Talbot → Mrs. Verloc (Power Police Authority)

  The police superintendent considers whether Mrs. Verloc spoke before or after the explosion while the police handle the aftermath.

• Karl Verloc - Her Husband → Stevie - Her Young Brother (Family Brother-in-Law)

  Stevie lives with Karl and Mrs. Verloc, making Karl his brother-in-law.

• Mrs. Verloc → Stevie - Her Young Brother (Family Sister And Brother)

  Stevie is described as Mrs. Verloc's younger brother who lives with her and Karl.

• Mrs. Verloc → Karl Verloc - Her Husband (Family Wife And Husband)

  The plot identifies Karl Verloc as Mrs. Verloc's husband, and they live together above the cinema.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Superintendent Talbot → Karl Verloc - Her Husband (Narrative Investigation Target)

  The police investigate Karl's suspected involvement, and the police superintendent remains present during the final aftermath.

Story Analysis

A hidden terrorist plot destroys a family when an innocent boy carries a bomb and his sister confronts the man responsible.

Plot Progression

1. Blackout Behind the Cinema
2. The Watcher Next Door
3. The Bomb Takes Shape
4. Stevie's Fatal Errand
5. A Marriage Destroyed